托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating behavior in the animal kingdom: cooperative hunting. Now, most people think of hunting as a solitary activity, but some species have evolved to hunt in groups, which gives them a significant advantage. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the African wild dog. These canines hunt in packs of up to 20 individuals. They coordinate their movements, chasing prey in relays, which allows them to exhaust faster animals like antelopes that would easily outrun a single dog. This teamwork increases their success rate dramatically—studies show they catch their prey over 80% of the time, unlike lone hunters which often fail. Second, think about humpback whales. They use a technique called 'bubble-net feeding.' A group of whales swims in a circle below a school of fish, blowing bubbles to create a net that traps the fish. Then, they all rise together with mouths open, scooping up thousands of fish at once. This method requires precise coordination and benefits every whale in the group, as they all get a share of the feast. So, the key point is that cooperative hunting allows animals to catch prey that would be impossible for an individual, and it ensures food for the entire group.